A few weeks ago, rumors were rife that this years E3 would be the biggest yet. The the final version of the Wii U (and its new name?) was definitely going to make an appearance, presumably along with a first look at its launch line-up. Microsoft’s conference would feature the Xbox 720 or whatever it ends up being called quite heavily, and again games would be shown on it. The truth is no one really expected Sony to say much, they at least would confirm the existence of the PS4, and perhaps show some target footage. Like a rain storm on a barbecue, it seems our dreams of a next-gen summer are slowly being soaked.

In his interview with Le Point in which he also discussed Monster Hunter on Vita, the boss of Playstation France said when referring to the Wii U launch: “Wii is pressed for time because it’s in decline. In our case, we have a lot less pressure. We were the last to release PS3, and we will probably be the last to announce something.”

As if that wasn’t enough to dampen your ardor for new console nirvana, fellow countryman Cedrick Delmas of Microsoft France also commented in the same magazine (translated by Eurogamer): “We’re in an industry that talks a lot, that likes telling stories. I am not convinced that things will happen this year. The Xbox 360’s cycle is not over at all. The proof is that we haven’t price cut this year.

“Afterward, what will happen at E3, it’s still too early to say. What’s certain is that there will be nothing new in 2012. If we wanted to counter Nintendo, we would have to be in a position to release something immediately, and that is not at all the case.

“We’re not here to counter Nintendo and they’re not here to fight the other manufacturers. Nintendo has put itself in a different cycle, it’s going forward to its own rhythm, with success as we have seen with the Wii, and now it’s their turn to present their innovation.”

Have the other two manufacturers conceded the playing field to Nintendo this year then? Don’t bet on it. Both statements are very carefully worded and it would be my prediction that they will each present a limited amount of new information designed to undercut Nintendo’s stab at the next-gen. Will we see the actual PS4 or Xbox 720 in June? Very doubtful, but I would expect to see just a little 5 minute section in each press conference, with a handful of details and a showreel, just enough to wet appetites for 2013.